Corgis are indeed double coated, meaning they have two layers of fur: a soft undercoat and a coarser outer coat. This unique coat helps them regulate their body temperature in cold climates.
Their double coat sheds heavily, especially during spring and fall, so be prepared for regular brushing and grooming. Regular brushing can help reduce shedding and prevent hair from getting everywhere.
Their thick undercoat traps warm air close to their skin, keeping them cozy in cold weather, while the outer coat repels water and protects them from the elements. This makes them well-suited for life in cooler climates.
Corgis require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their fur, especially around their ears and tail.
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What is a Double Coat?
A double coat on a dog consists of two layers: an undercoat and a top coat. The undercoat is usually made up of short hairs, while the top coat has longer hairs called guard hairs.
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The dense undercoat provides insulation and protects the dog from weather and elements, while the top layer repels dirt and moisture. This makes double-coated dogs appear fluffy, but they can also have a lot of shedding.
Here are some common characteristics of double-coated dogs:
- Extra fluffy appearance
- Sheds a lot of fur
- Requires regular grooming to keep their coat and skin healthy
Regular grooming is essential for double-coated dogs, as it helps prevent matting and tangling of their hair. This can be achieved by brushing their hair daily and bathing them once a month.
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What Is a Double Coat?
A double coat on a dog is made up of two layers: an undercoat and a top coat. The undercoat is usually made up of short hairs, while the top coat has longer hairs called guard hairs.
The undercoat provides insulation and protects the dog from weather and elements. This is especially helpful for dogs that live in cold climates.
Double-coated dogs tend to shed a lot more than single-coated dogs. In fact, they can shed so much that regular grooming is essential to keep their coat and skin healthy.
Here are some examples of dog breeds with double coats:
- Spitz breeds, such as the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute, are known for their fluffy appearance and double coats.
- Other breeds with double coats include the Newfoundlands, the Bernese Mountain Dogs, and the Old English Sheepdogs.
Regular grooming is crucial for double-coated dogs. This includes brushing their coat daily to remove loose hair and prevent matting.
Distinguishing Dogs
If your dog is extra fluffy and sheds a lot of fur, it's likely a double-coated dog. I've seen this myself with my friend's Samoyed, which sheds so much it's like a snowstorm in the house.
To be sure, you can try brushing your dog's hair to see if you can separate the hair close to the skin and find a thick, coarse coat on top and a soft coat underneath.
You can also compare the hair in the brush to see if there are two different types of hair, one soft and one harsh. This is a good indication of a double coat.
Shedding hair around the house can also be a giveaway. If you see both soft and harsh hair, it's likely a double-coated dog.
If you know your dog's breed and it's a pedigree, you can research whether that breed is double-coated or not. This is a quick and easy way to determine if your dog has a double coat.
Some breeds, like Mastiffs, have a dewlap, a flap of skin that hangs beneath the lower neck. Many dogs with dewlaps have a double coat.
The Challenge of Grooming
Grooming a double-coated Corgi can be a challenge, especially during shedding season. Double-coated dogs tend to shed much more than single-coated dogs, so regular grooming is essential.
Brushing your Corgi daily is crucial to prevent matting and tangling. In fact, double-coated dogs should be brushed daily, and bathed once a month. Using a brush or comb with longer pins to reach the undercoat is recommended.
During shedding season, it's essential to brush your Corgi before bathing, as it helps loosen debris and dead hair. Bathing your dog is also a great bonding time for both of you, so wash your dog often, which also allows you to monitor their skin for any bumps, bruises, or cuts.
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A high-quality, sensitive formula shampoo is vital for Corgi's delicate skin. Regular grooming also helps to prevent skin issues and foul odor.
Here are some ways to manage Corgi hair:
- Keep Corgis brushed daily with a wire or slicker dog brush.
- Invest in a pet vacuum, one that's specifically designed to pick up dog hair and dander.
- Buy a lint roller to help remove pet hair on your clothes or your linens.
- Get them groomed every quarter, or once during each season, even more in summer to keep them fresh.
Additionally, using a de-shedding tool and a rake comb can help loosen dead hair and debris caught under the fur. Trimming their nails often can also prevent cracking and breaking. A Dremel tool is a safe and effective way to do this yourself.
Managing Shedding
Corgis are heavy shedders, and they shed even more than usual twice per year, usually in spring and autumn.
Regular grooming, such as brushing and bathing, can help keep their coats healthy and beautiful and reduce shedding. A good diet and supplements can also help keep your dog from shedding too much.
You can't stop shedding in Corgis, but you can manage it so it doesn't become a nuisance. Cleaning the furniture and clothes often may not be the ideal solution, as your pup will still shed on them daily.
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Double-coated dogs like Corgis tend to shed much more than single-coated dogs, so regular grooming is essential. Without a proper grooming routine, hair from the undercoat can get caught in the top coat, leading to tangling and matting.
Here's a step-by-step guide to grooming your Corgi:
- Combing and brushing: Start by brushing or combing the undercoat to remove loose hair. Use a brush or comb with longer pins to reach the undercoat.
- Bathing: Wet the dog and apply shampoo to the body and face, avoiding the eyes and ears. Rinse away the shampoo, working your hands down to the undercoat to remove any shampoo residue.
- Drying: Start by towel drying, which might be sufficient if your dog doesn't have particularly long hair. However, a dog-specific hair dryer is preferred for most double-coated dogs as it will ensure the undercoat is not left damp.
- Brushing: Using a stiff bristle brush or grooming glove, go over the dog's coat again to ensure no tangles. This also encourages the release of the natural oils on the dog's coat.
Corgis tend to shed their fur all year round, but you should expect a lot more shedding two times per year. You should expect more shedding as the seasons approach summer or winter.
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Nutrition and Diet
A Corgi's diet plays a significant role in managing their shedding. Feeding your dog a healthy diet that includes omega 3 fatty acids is great for healthy skin and coat.
Omega fatty acids are responsible for keeping your dog's coat smooth and shiny. With a smooth, shiny coat, you'll find other things, such as brushing and grooming your pets, very easy.
A protein-rich diet from meat sources like chicken, turkey, and occasionally fish will provide your dog with the necessary dietary fats, minerals, and vitamins for coat health. The best ratio of fatty acids for optimum coat health is 5:1 Omega-6 to omega-3.
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How Much?
Corgis shed quite a bit, especially since they have a thick, two-layer coat. They need routine grooming and brushing to remove loose and dead hair, ensuring their fur and skin health.
Corgis shed all year round, but more heavily during spring and autumn, which is known as "blowing the coat." This transition can last for two to four weeks.
During these shedding seasons, your corgi's hair will fall out in even greater amounts as the coat adjusts to the weather. You'll need to brush them a few extra times per week and run the vacuum more often to pick up the loose hair.
Corgis shed more heavily than some other breeds, like the Doberman Pinscher, due to their thick coat.
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Managing Diets
A healthy diet is crucial for reducing shedding in Corgis.
Feeding your dog a high-quality dog food that includes omega 3 fatty acids can help keep their coat smooth and shiny.
Omega fatty acids are responsible for keeping your dog's coat healthy and strong, making it easier to brush and groom them.
You can add dog-friendly omega 3 supplements as a food topper or mix them into their high-quality dog food.
However, it's essential to first speak with your veterinarian before supplementing your dog's diet.
A diet rich in fillers and by-products doesn't supply your dog with the proper nutrients for a good coat and overall health.
Corgis deficient in essential fatty acids like omega-3 have a dry and matted coat, so it's vital to ensure they get enough of these fatty acids.
Fish oil, fish, and other seafood are excellent sources of EFAs like omega-3, which strengthen the hair follicles and reduce shedding.
A protein-rich diet from meat sources like chicken, turkey, and occasionally fish will provide your dog with the necessary dietary fats, minerals, and vitamins for coat health.
Some dogs may have food allergies that cause them to shed abnormally, so it's crucial to monitor your dog's behavior and consult with your vet if you suspect an allergy.
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Hypoallergenic Dogs
If you're allergic to pet dander and want to own a dog, research a hypoallergenic breed. Dogs that don’t shed or shed very little are least likely to cause allergic reactions.
The Poodle, Bichon Frise, and Maltese are small dogs that don’t shed. Some dogs, like the Poodle and the Miniature Schnauzer, shed much less than Corgis.
While there isn’t a purely hypoallergenic dog, some breeders may cross a Corgi with a Poodle to reduce shedding.
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Sources
- guard hairs (dogster.com)
- haircut on a Corgi (rover.com)
- de-shedding tool (webmd.com)
- Do Corgis Shed? Learn All About The Coat Of a Corgi (tryfi.com)
- Do Corgis Shed? Everything You Need to Know ... - PawSafe (pawsafe.com)
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